<p>I didn’t realize how much “power” TAs have. They determine the grades and sometimes it seems pretty arbituary. My son took a class this past semester and he felt he knew the material completely. Certainly as much as anyone else in the class. But he was getting Bs and Cs, while his study buddies were pulling in As. When he asked his TA, he was told he needed to study more. Not very helpful. Eventually, he learned he needed to use the “keywords” in his answers and that made all the difference. </p>
<p>Maybe I’m completely wrong here, but my guess is that TAs give prefernece to those students they get to know. So, once again, it’s not about the knowledge but about the relationship. No wonder why quiet boys don’t do as well.</p>